Jason Atherton’s Japanese izakaya-style restaurant,Sosharu, has launched a new afternoon tea menu inspired by the iconic wagashi (confectionery) and tea ceremony traditions of Japan! On the menu is a selection of sweet and savoury dishes, alongside unique tea blends and specially designed cocktails.

From the savoury selection, highlights include a savoury monaka, a twist on a traditionally sweet dish of Japanese wafer which is alternatively topped with fresh tuna sashimi; and Open temaki, one of Sosharu’s signature dishes, taco-like tempura fried seaweed shell filled with salmon, tuna or winter vegetables, and sushi rice, topped with tosazu jelly, spiced mayonnaise and avocado.

Sweet dishes include meticulously crafted treats inspired by wagashi, traditional Japanese confectionery designed to be enjoyed with tea. From matcha iced fingers to chocolate sesame praline Petit Gâteau with miso caramel, each of the creations combines classic pastry techniques with Japanese flavours. A standout addition is the Taiyaki, a traditional fish-shaped cake made using a pancake-style batter and filled with rhubarb and white chocolate crème patisserie.

Central to Japanese culture, and an integral element of the afternoon tea offering, is an extensive selection of green tea blends. Rich in antioxidants and curative properties, the teas include kukicha with cherry blossom, hojicha with ginger, genmaicha with matcha and sencha asamuchi. Of course there are amazing cocktails to choose from if you’re after something a little stronger!